Welcome to The Lunch Belle, a food website/blog that views the New York City + Los Angeles dining scenes through the lens - and belly - of a highly opinionated, critical, adorably quirky, and culinary-obsessed thirty-something year old.

Almost a year ago, I went to the doctor for my annual physical and learned that I have both fibroids and stage-3 endometriosis. I was told that the only way to get rid of these painful annoyances would be via surgery and medicine. And, while I did end up having surgery back in August, I have since learned so much more about each issue - most notably how your diet can effect symptoms and future growth. While I was hoping to hear that dairy, red meat, pork, fried stuff, refined carbohydrates, and processed treats would alleviate me of my suffering, I wasn't too surprised to read which foods actually did make the list: Organic everything, seasonal produce, little to no caffeine and alcohol, dairy alternatives (no soy), complex carbohydrates (in the form of beans, superfood grains, etc.), raw honey, tea...I could continue listing items, but it would just put you to sleep. Plus, you probably already know them all, anyways.

Basically, the healthiest way to exist is by eating organically, seasonally, and as close to vegan as possible. But is that a sustainable lifestyle for someone, like me, who relishes in trying new restaurants of a multitude of cuisines, drinking margaritas, and becoming a "regular" at my favorite local watering holes? No, not at all. However, I think that if I aim to be 70% "on the vegan wagon with some pescatarian tweaks" and 30% "off the wagon (with martinis wine)," I should be ok-ish. Baby steps...

I started seeing ads on Facebook and at Physique 57 for Sakara Life, a "100% Plant-Based + Gluten Free + Organic" food delivery program that recently began servicing Los Angeles. Curious, I began scouring the web for more information/reviews; while the Sakara Life website is "pretty" to look at, it's not chock-full of as much information and "nitty gritty" as I would have liked. I wondered if the food would taste like cardboard or if there'd even be enough of it. I mean, with the program being touted by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and the Victoria's Secret Angels, those aren't very far-fetched concerns! Plus, how much would each meal cost/day?

Photo credit: Sakara Life // No, the chicks in the photo are not super models (though they could be); they're the founders of Sakara Life. Do y'all remember Dr. Atkins or Richard Simmons looking *this* good? Me neither. It didn't take me long to sign up for the "4-Day Sakara Holiday Special - Lunch + Dinner!" While I love to cook, when it comes to new regimens, I prefer to "learn from the experts." By that, I mean sampling my initial meals at the hands of a professional/restaurant prior to attempting a brand new cuisine/lifestyle on my own.

After ticking that I had no food allergies, I submitted my payment information. While the price was hard to swallow (meals are about $29 each!), I justified the expense as research. I vowed that I would learn as much as I could about each ingredient and how/why it was paired (with other components) to create the respective meal. After four days, I told myself, I would have enough knowledge to be able to source and prepare my own meals at home.

On Monday morning, I eagerly opened my front door to find my Sakara Life "cold bag" hanging on my door knob. I unpacked the ready-to-eat lunches and dinners, Morning and Night Waters, and Detox Teas for two days' worth. Plus a hand-written "welcome" note!

Day 1

Morning Water

Tranquil, slightly heavy, and floral, this alkaline water claimed to be full of "trace minerals and the purest essential oils on the planet." It wasn't until I kept having to pee that I believed there was something other than perfume and tap water in this fancy clear beverage (#detox).

Breakfast (I ate my own)

A.M. Detox Tea

Lunch: Sakara-Style Autumn Dumplings w/ Cranberry Dressing

Served atop a bed of spinach were two roasted vegetable dumplings that were enveloped by overly sticky and gelatinous rice paper. Instead of dipping them in the cranberry dressing, I cut each dumpling in to bite sized pieces (this took quite a lot of effort and force because of the tough dumpling skin) and tossed them together with the spinach leaves and tart dressing. Because I was starving, I forced myself to eat this meal in its entirety, knowing that each bite cost me about $3. I was terrified that if this entree was on par with what I would be eating for the next few days, this week would prove to be excruciatingly arduous.

P.M. Detox Tea

Dinner: Buckwheat + Brussels Warming Winter Salad

After my extremely disappointing lunch, I was very trepidatious about dinner. However, to my pleasant surprise, this "Warming Winter Salad" was much more flavorful and varied. Cucumbers, fresh dill, beets, chickpeas, mixed greens, and buckwheat married beautifully.

Night Water

Oddly refreshing with a "soil" aftertaste, this chlorella-laced water quenched my post-dinner thirst (...and caused me to wake up approximately 5x that night to pee! #detox).

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Day 2

Morning Water

Breakfast (I ate my own)

A.M. Detox Tea

Lunch: Thai Burger w/ Rainbow Slaw + Root Fries

Please don't let this lunch suck as hard as yesterday's, I mumbled to myself as I assembled the components. Instead of eating the "Thai Burger" with my hands, I crumbled the patty atop the greens, tossed in the "Rainbow Slaw," and cut the "Root Fries" in to bite-sized pieces, thus creating a bountiful makeshift salad. To my surprise, yet again, this entree was quite delicious and incredibly filling. And how about those colors?

My next two days' worth of meals and teas were delivered in the "cold bag" and hung on my door knob, ready to be fetched and unpacked upon waking on Wednesday morning.

Morning Water

Breakfast (I ate my own)

A.M. Detox Tea

Lunch: Prosperity Pad Thai w/ Kelp Noodles

Eeeeek! You know it's not a good sign when I cannot even recall what this meal looked or tasted like. :/ I even had to snag the photo, below, from Sakara Life's Twitter feed because I didn't take one of my own. Sorry guys.

Photo source: Sakara Life via TwitterP.M. Detox Tea

Dinner: Red Beet Borscht + Olive Foccacia

As a Russian Jew who loathes the food of her forefathers, I was petrified of this meal. While I enjoy beets in salads, I absolutely detest borscht. However, since each Sakara entree cost me well over $20, I wasn't not going to eat this in its entirety. Even if it sucked.

So, today was Christmas Eve and I wasn't able to snap any photos of my meals. I ate the lunch salad during my drive to San Diego (literally, with my fcuking hands - I cannot even imagine what my fellow passersby saw) and shared the dinner with my sister for a pre-lunch appetizer on Christmas Day. Oh, and I didn't drink any of my waters or teas because of how choppy and sporadic my day was.

Breakfast (I ate my own)

Lunch: Sakara Cobb Salad

Sans the traditional chicken, blue cheese, egg, and pork bacon (Sakara made "bacon" from strips of dried coconut), this was actually one of the more delightful Cobb salads I've ever had - and I didn't miss the dairy/meat components whatsoever!

Dinner: The Sakara Burrito Bowl

Like I mentioned above, I didn't actually eat this for dinner on Christmas Eve; my sister and I split it for a pre-lunch appetizer on Christmas Day. Of all of the entrees that I enjoyed over the four days, this was, by far, my favorite: Sweet potato, avocado, Mexican-style brown rice, and other goodies came together over a bed of greens to create a "Burrito Bowl" full of texture, flavor, and variety. A+

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To conclude:

Would I recommend trying Sakara Life? Hell yes. If you have the funds and are currently residing in NYC, Miami, or LA, then I would highly recommend giving Sakara Life a shot - even if it's just for three days (which, by the way, they offer).

Did I feel better after my four days on the program? Yes, but in order to notice a remarkable shift, I need to follow this lifestyle for more than four days. For me, it was a great introduction in to what lunches and dinners - at home or the office - should look like. I enjoyed trying new items, such as dairy-free "cashew cheese" and "coconut bacon," two things I would have sworn I'd never eat years ago. It has never been more clear or obvious to me that, in the words of Sakara's founders, "our bodies are woven from the foods we eat." In my case, I believe that my health issues are a direct result of my poor diet. And I am hell-bent on changing my destiny by what I put in my mouth; frankly, I'm just sick of being sick.

Was anything confusing or annoying about the program? Beyond the price tag? Yes. I am a numbers person, so I would have appreciated knowing the nutritional information/values for each and every item that I ate and drank - something the company does not believe in disclosing. Meh.

"A calorie is a unit used to measure energy, not nutrition. Calories are NOT created equal and are not a metric used for how fresh or healthy your food is. Rather than focusing on calories, we want to help you focus on how your clothes fit and how you feel! Isn’t that exciting? It’s an opportunity to listen to your body." - Sakara Life

...

Until we eat again,

The Lunch Belle

A calorie is a unit used to measure energy, not nutrition. Calories are NOT created equal and are not a metric used for how fresh or healthy your food is. Rather than focusing on calories, we want to help you focus on how your clothes fit and how you feel! Isn’t that exciting? It’s an opportunity to listen to your body. - See more at: http://www.sakaralife.com/pages/nutrition#sthash.q2AwBtXm.dpuf

A calorie is a unit used to measure energy, not nutrition. Calories are NOT created equal and are not a metric used for how fresh or healthy your food is. Rather than focusing on calories, we want to help you focus on how your clothes fit and how you feel! Isn’t that exciting? It’s an opportunity to listen to your body. - See more at: http://www.sakaralife.com/pages/nutrition#sthash.q2AwBtXm.dpuf

A calorie is a unit used to measure energy, not nutrition. Calories are NOT created equal and are not a metric used for how fresh or healthy your food is. Rather than focusing on calories, we want to help you focus on how your clothes fit and how you feel! Isn’t that exciting? It’s an opportunity to listen to your body. - See more at: http://www.sakaralife.com/pages/nutrition#sthash.q2AwBtXm.dpuf

It's been one of those seemingly never-ending weeks where I've been in a horrible mood. Nothing works - nothing is right - and the future looks bleeeeeeak. This outlook, in turn, unleashes my inner beotch. By Friday (today), I find myself apologizing to everyone for everything I've said/done since Monday. "You need to blow off some steam," my mom quipped. "Go to a spin class or something! That'll make you feel better."

So, the thing about LA is, unless you're down with jogging or going for speed walks after work/in the dark, your only sweat-it-out option is to hit the gym. Easy enough, right? Well, throw in our infamous rush-hour traffic, and you can almost be certain that, unless you leave the office 45 minutes-1 hour in advance, your bike seat/yoga mat/barre space will be given away. And you'll be charged with a big, fat late-fee. Ask me again why you don't see me at Flywheel's West Hollywood location on a Wednesday evening...

For a hot minute, I was a member at Equinox. While the facilities were immaculate, I found the studio classes to be pretty lame compared to, say, Flywheel or Physique 57. Plus, to this day, I couldn't tell you the first thing about what to do on a gym floor (like with weights/machines), regardless of the "free personal trainer sessions when you join." How in the hell can you take notes when someone is actively going through a workout with you? And I'd rather be water-boarded than spend more than 5-minutes on a treadmill...

"Mom, I'm not taking a gawd damn spin class tonight. I'm fcuking walking home from work as we speak. Isn't that enough?!" Clearly, from my amount of cussing, walking home from work is never the best solution for me to blow off steam...

When it's been "one of those days/weeks" here in LA, and I can't get to an exercise class after work, I either find myself drinking too much or mindlessly stuffing my face with food. For fcuk's sake, I need some new ideas, folks. Do I take up knitting? Start smoking? Kidding. Kind of...

How do you blow off steam in a healthy-ish manner? I'd love to hear from you!

If you're anything like me - and many other Americans - then you're roughly 1-10 pounds "fluffier" than you were 2 months ago. Sigh.

Although it is, without a doubt, the most wonderful time of the year, November and December also happen to be the most gluttonous time of the year...

So, in keeping with all of this "New Year's resolutions" crap, I am happy to report that, as of January 2, I've been consciously trying to eat cleaner and more mindfully. Has it been perfect? Absolutely not. Especially when it comes to my alcohol intake. Here's a great example: For breakfast, I was recently on an oatmeal kick until, after reading the small, finer print on the nutrition label, I learned that my beloved, albeit gimmicky, mason jar filled with "Haulin' Oats" was a double serving. That's right: Instead of consuming what I thought was just 300 calories, I was wolfing down 600! Can you believe that? What company makes a double serving of oatmeal in a single-serving container? Like I'm going to share it with a coworker, or something? WTF is that? Seriously!? Thanks guys. Thanks for making me fat! And not with something exciting, like pizza or Mexican food...but with oatmeal! OATMEAL. Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Alternatively, I've started eating Survival Bars for brekkie. Besides the fact that each bar is a SINGLE SERVING, what I like about this particular brand is that, unlike most others on the market, Survival Bars have no salt, refined sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors/colors, trans fats, gluten, or soy. Plus, they're 100% Vegan, organic/non GMO, and 90% of the ingredients are raw! Stop. I know what you're thinking, so I'm going to answer you right now: No, Survival Bars DO NOT taste like shit or dirt or some type of exotic grass. They're delicious and filling, with most varieties boasting 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. And 300 calories or less.

Love her or love to hate her, Mama Joyce is the unofficial matriarch of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Personally, while I've always remained neutral in tiffs between her and famous daughter, Kandi Burruss, it wasn't until I actually got to speak with Mama Joyce, one on one, that I absolutely fell in love with her.

Photo credit: Jessica from Reality Wanted dot Com Southern women, especially of the older school, are tough cookies. They don't put up with a bunch of crap and are more than happy to gingerly put you in your place. By the same token, you will never meet a more outwardly warm, gracious, polite, or welcoming woman than a Southern dame. And Mama Joyce is no exception. While she may come off as a fire cracker on television, she could not have been more lovely over the phone. If I could describe my interaction with MJ (Mama Joyce) in one sentence, I'd say that she is like the grandmother you never had. But always wanted. Sweet and loving...with a dash of Southern sass.

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TLB = The Lunch Belle

MJ = Mama Joyce

TLB: "Hi MJ! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me!"

MJ: "Hi! You are welcome."

TLB: "So I heard that you've lost quite a bit of weight. Congratulations! 40 pounds, to be exact! Can you divulge how you did it?"

MJ: "Thank you! I started a program called Dramatic Weight Loss about 2-years ago. Actually, it was Kandi who first told me about it. And, yes, I've lost 40 pounds!"

TLB: "Well, congratulations again! But I want all of the dirty details. What did the diet entail?"

MJ: "For the first 3-days, I had to drink a protein shake every 3-hours to prevent hunger. Once I went in to ketosis, I was able to add food back to my diet like salads and fish."

TLB: "Shakes, eh? Were they gross?"

MJ: "Girl, no! I still drink them - by choice - to this day! I love the chocolate or vanilla flavor that I make extra sweet with Sweet 'N Low."

TLB: "Interesting. That really says a lot about the company's products if you drink the shakes now, in your maintenance phase, by choice! Speaking of maintenance, don't you find it to be harder than the actual diet, itself?"

MJ: "You know what's funny? I hadn't had fried chicken in months until the other day and, wouldn't you know, it upset my stomach! Also, I can now be around sweets without having to indulge in a piece of cake or candy. I don't crave those things anymore. It's crazy!"

TLB: "That is crazy, because no matter how far in to a diet I am, I still crave donuts/cake/gummy candy/ice cream, etc. on a daily basis. God bless you, MJ! So, I have to ask, do you cook at home? If so, how often per week?"

MJ: "(Chuckles) Thank you, baby. Yes, I do cook at home. About two times/week."

TLB: "On the off times when you aren't cooking, do you go out to eat? If so, what do you order at, say, an American restaurant?"

MJ: Girl, I love Red Lobster. I usually order some kind of baked fish, salad, and either a baked potato or rice."

For someone who has the attention span of a fruit fly, you can only imagine how well I do at theater productions, movies, concerts, etc. After about 15-minutes, I get bored and antsy. Restless leg syndrome sets in and I find myself anxiously taking turns glancing between the exit door and my watch...

Toward the end of 2012, I was invited to view "The Diet Show," Gilbert Gottfried, Sean Pomper, and Karen Katz's comedy production starring past winners, finalists and contestants of the hit TV show, The Biggest Loser. Now, under any other circumstance, I wouldn't have even opened this email pitch had the word "Diet" not caught my eye. After reading the press release, however, I did something very out of character: I RSVP'd with a whole-hearted "YES!" Because, aside from the fact that I'm obsessed with the digital number on the scale, for much of my life, I've not-so-proudly worn the "diet whore" crown. So it's without even saying that I have a soft spot for anyone who struggles with their weight and appearance.

On Saturday night, I met my friend, Nicole, at Stage 72 for the 7pm performance of The Diet Show. The first thing that stood out was the small, intimate theater space - located above a Turkish restaurant - that boasted ornate detail and dark, gothic colors (think red, black, gold).

Photo by Stage 72As we filed in to the theater, an employee noted that there was a 2-drink minimum per person. While that "rule" may annoy some, I was thrilled to hear that a) there was alcohol, and b) there was table-service!

Nicole and I scored a great front-row seat. Just as we received our cocktails - some chocolate-y martini thing for her, and a margarita for me - the lights began to dim. Show time!

The production was incredibly entertaining, hysterical, and tear-jerking. All at the same time. Imagine, if you will, eleven personal, heartfelt monologues given by former winners and contestants of The Biggest Loser. Not once did I look down at my watch...or yawn. Instead, I laughed. I nodded my head many times, both in agreement and in that sympathetic "I've been there before, too." And I bawled. The cast spoke about everything from food addiction, working out, and looking death in the eye to always making it a point to poke fun at themselves before anyone else could have the opportunity. Pretty heavy stuff. Especially when you, too, have been there.

I would recommend this show to anyone who appreciates a solid comedy routine and, on the serious side of things, has ever struggled with weight, dieting, poor self esteem, food addiction, etc. Hey, isn't that almost all of us?

Blame it on all of the hot bodies I ogled in Vegas. Or, perhaps it's the fact that I just looked at my calendar and realized...TODAY IS JUNE 1ST!!Summer. Really. Is. Here.

While I'm on the topic of body envy, I had a little "come to Jesus," if you will, upon my return flight from 'Sin City': If I want my figure to look as smokin' hot as all of those 20-year-old sluts that I spied pool-side at the Wynn, then I'd better shake-up my fitness routine! Currently, my workouts consist solely of indoor activities: Watching television, spinning, barre, and, occasionally, ballet. While each is fantastic and, believe it or not, *fun*, deep down, I'm aching to get back to jogging outdoors...

The last time I attempted to incorporate jogging in to my exercise routine, I was 40-pounds heavier than I am now. Because of all of the extra weight that I was carrying, coupled with the fact that I had taken an 8-year workout sabbatical, I ended up fracturing my knee. How sad and lame is that?

It's almost been 2-years since that painful incident, and not a day has passed that I haven't thought about putting on my sneakers and hitting the pavement. For me, running is the ultimate de-stressor (I imagine that boxing would also have similar effects. Perhaps I'll look in to that, next?). I tend to carry a lot of anger and emotional weight, so a good jog really helps me to refocus and gain composure. It's the ultimate "me" time - when I can completely zone-out and lose myself in my music.

"Run Forrest! Run!"...And, speaking of music, I'm in dire need of some kick ass tunes to add to my playlist. See, it's for this reason, alone, that I love attending exercise classes instead of "doing my own thing." Why? Because having to download music and create playlists is overwhelming, time-consuming and, frankly, I'd rather have someone else to do it.

Check out what's on my current "jogging playlist," below. And, before you laugh at some of my out-of-date selections, a) shut up, and b) just remember that I don't have a car, so listening to the radio isn't really an option.

What do you jam to when you work out? I'd love some great suggestions!

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Rap/Hip Hop

*This is my favorite type of music. I've grew up in a Motown household - with a mother who went to more Michael Jackson concerts than anyone I know/have read about - so, for me, rap/hip hop was a very natural transition.

Red Cafe - Fly Together

Love the beat and the line about the "JetBlue stewardess"

Kanye West/Big Sean/Pusha T/2 Chainz - Mercy

Completely, ridiculously obsessed this song!

Usher - Scream

Sexy lyrics and a great beat

Ice Cube - Check Yo Self

...Great video, too!

Rick Ross/Drake/Chrisette Michele - Aston Martin Music

I love everything about this song - this is one of the first times I had ever heard "Drake" on a track

Rick Ross - B.M.F.

As you can see, I have a lil' thing for Rick Ross. This song makes me feel like I'm a force to be reckoned with - and that I could kick some serious ass.

Tupac - To Live & Die in LA

One of my favorite Tupac songs of all time - love this tribute to LA

Tupac - I Get Around

Funny lyrics - and I know every last one of them, by heart. I could acapella the shit out of this song!

Tupac - How Do You Want It

A sexy classic with a killer beat

Nicki Minaj/Drake - Moment 4 Life

For me, the verdict is still out on Nicki, but I adore this duet w/ Drake

Positive K - I Got A Man

The lyrics are hilarious, and I can recite every last one of them. An old-school classic!

Neyo - Closer

Wow, now if this song doesn't turn you on or make you yearn for the 'one that got away,' then I don't know what the hell to tell you.

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Dance

Calvin Harris - Feel So Close

This song makes me want to get up from my desk chair and dance! All-around awesome

Far East Movement - Like A G6

Ultimate dance-party jam. Love.

Goldfrapp - Ooh La La

Sexy. Great beat that makes you want to run faster

Anything by Girl Talk

This dude is a fcuking genius. He doesn't have a boring jam out there

Alice DeeJay - Better Off Alone

Love the lyrics - reminds me of college and makes me smile

September - Cry For You

Euro-pop and totally cheesy, but it has a great beat

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Pop

Pink - Sober

Whew! These lyrics are intense, but the song is great and I love Pink's raspy voice

Empire of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

This song just sounds like summer - like California - and it makes me smile

Coldplay/Rhianna - Princess of China

Great beat - love the unusual combo of Chris Martin and Rhi-Rhi

David Guetta/Usher - Without You

Lyrics are sweet and you can only hope that someone feels or has felt this way about you

Britney Spears - Piece of Me

If this song doesn't make you wanna kick some ass, then I'm not sure what will. It's one of my all-time favorite Britney tunes!

Kanye West - All of The Lights

The ballad of summer 2011 - amazing grouping of singers that only Kanye West could orchestrate. Still cannot get enough of this one!

Florence & The Machine - Dog Days Are Over

This song radiates happiness and inspires change. I absolutely adore it

Demi Lovato - Give Your Heart A Break

I have a lot of respect for Demi Lovato, as she's been through quite a lot and has had the balls to share her story. This song is peppy and sweet, and I love the girl's voice.